Santo Domingo – The Dominican Republic has delivered a stellar performance in its cocoa export sector this year, with official figures from the country’s Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MICM) showing total outbound shipments of cocoa hit $669 million in 2025. That marks a remarkable 55% increase compared to export values recorded in 2024, a growth driven largely by upward momentum in global cocoa pricing on international commodity markets.
Alongside the release of these strong trade results, organizers are preparing to showcase the Dominican cocoa sector’s achievements at the sixth annual Dominican Chocolate Festival, set to run from September 11 to 13 in the capital city of Santo Domingo. The three-day event will gather more than 18 homegrown Dominican brands that span every segment of cocoa production and chocolate marketing, giving industry stakeholders and attendees a full look at the country’s rapidly growing specialty cocoa market.
Digging deeper into the official trade data, MICM reports that the average export price for Dominican cocoa climbed to $7,798 per ton in 2025, representing a 6% year-over-year rise. Analysts note that this upward price shift was a core contributor to the overall jump in total export value, alongside modest gains in shipment volume that have also supported sector growth.
Beyond celebrating the sector’s strong trade results, the upcoming festival is designed to highlight the full scope of the Dominican cocoa value chain, from on-farm production of raw cocoa beans to the processing and manufacturing of finished chocolate and other high-value value-added cocoa products. Attendees will be able to participate in a wide range of activities, including artisanal chocolate tastings, professional cooking demonstrations showcasing cocoa-based recipes, family-friendly activities for children, and informational presentations from leading local chocolatiers and brand leaders.
The event will also include a special recognition segment honoring the Dominican Association of Chocolate Makers (ADOCHOCO) as well as standout companies that have driven innovation and growth across the national cocoa sector. The 2025 festival is co-organized by the Dominican Environmental Consortium, the International Trade Centre, Agora Mall, Mediáticos Communication Consultants and MICM, with additional strategic and logistical support from a network of private industry partners across the country.